BIO

Chas has more than two decades of experience in the public and private sectors as an advisor on state policy, government relations and communications. Prior to Park Street Public, she was a Partner and Co-Founder at MZA+Co, a successful full-service public affairs firm. During her time with MZA+Co, Chas successfully led efforts to pass drug sentencing reform legislation, update probation and supervision laws, secured millions of state funding for workforce development centers, and successfully advocated for more funding for the arts and humanities.

Her government service includes working for two governors, including serving as Deputy Commissioner of Education for Governor Tim Pawlenty and in the Citizen Outreach Office for Governor Arne H. Carlson. During her tenure as Deputy Commissioner of Education, Chas successfully led efforts to implement the state’s first accountability system for K-12 education, passed and implemented the Q Comp, a nation-leading alternative teacher compensation program, expanded charter schools and increased access and transparency regarding school performance in Minnesota.

Chas served two separate times in the Minnesota House of Representatives — as Executive Director and as Committee Administrator for the Ways & Means Committee. During her time in the Minnesota House, she was instrumental in leading efforts to enact several biennial state budget budgets in times of surplus and deficits, passed legislation to reform the state’s education system, moved legislation to improve access to the State Judiciary Branch, and led efforts to pass legislation for the construction of U.S. Bank Stadium.